How do I keep documents private?

charley4

Hello all,
How do I keep my documents private, when a family member is staying in my flat for a few days while I go away?
I don't want to stop her using this computer.
Hope you can help! Thanks

custardy

probably easier to password protect your own account and create a new account for the family to use?

o_c99

If you are using Microsoft Word, you can password protect your documents. In Word on the bar at the top go to:
Tools
Options
Security

You can then add a password to protect your document to modify or for general access.

The recommended alternative is to use a password at logging-in (assuming you are using Windows) as suggested by custardy.

charley4

thanks for you help, I will try and password protect my account, not sure how I go about doing that but will try.
You can tell that I am totally useless with my computer.

mitchg

Remove them from the computer and save them onto a cd,dvd or memory stick is one option, then restore when your back home and your visitor has left your flat.
Just a thought
Or how about creating a user account for your guest and password your account for log on puposes.

mjhmjh2

If someone wants to access your documents, they will. Give me a pc without full on disc encyption and I can get into any document in any account without access to original passwords... ok that's the scaring part.

The non-technical approach

If you want to let that person use your computer, and you trust them, why not just ask them "please feel free to use my computer, but I have some really personal stuff, I'd really appreciate it if you wouldn't look at anything on there."

If you don't trust them, then don't let them use the PC.

The technical approach

(picking up from other posters)

To password protect your account, (XP), start, control panel, make sure it shows in the new fangled view, then click on the users (and something) icon, it's in there to change your password and also to setup a new user as well. Unless you setup the new user as a "limited" user then they will be able to simply browse to your folders anyway. It's very difficult to know how to do it to be water tight unless you are an expert, hense why I say the above.

charley4

thanks for the info custardy and omar.chalabi99
I am sure even a dim wit like me should be able to follow the instructions you have given me.
A great help

o_c99

Assuming you are in the Windows XP Desktop...

Select:
Start
All Programs
Control Panel
User Accounts
Click on the account you want a password for e.g. 'John'
Select Create a password
The create your own password.

the next time the computer loads up (when you switch it on or if you restart it), you will be required to enter your password to enter your account.

Again mitchg's suggestions are useful too. You can create a guest account using many of the steps I've mentioned here. Or save to a cd/dvd/memory stick and keep that with you.

charley4

thanks for everybodys help,
I will now be able to digest every thing you have all suggested, i like the idea of putting the info onto a cd, because this seems quite simply for me to manage.

mitchg

This family member does she have her own pc, if so let her use your network with her and not use your pc.
Other than that i'd personally remove all files by burning them onto dvd, cd or memory stick and create that guest user account then create a restore point, handy if there is any later issues.
Then when you return using your account reload all your docs

charley4

I have managed to back up onto a CD. this was quite easy for me, with the advice. thankyou everyone.